The skin is the outer protective layer of the body of any animal
including human, it's appearance could either speak positively (if it is
healthy) or negatively (if it is unhealthy) of the bearer. Hence,
maintaining a healthy skin is very essential as a human being and this
can be achieved by adopting good skin care and healthy life style
choices which can help delay the natural aging process and various skin
problems. Below are 15 tips to maintain a healthy skin:
1. PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN
One
of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it
from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots
and other skin problems, as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.
Use
sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours or more often if
you're swimming or perspiring.
Seek shade: Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.
Wear
protective clothing: Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved
shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry
additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet
protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective
clothing (which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays).
2. TREAT YOUR SKIN GENTLY
Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:
Limit bath time: Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from
your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm, rather than hot
water.
Avoid strong soaps: Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
Shave
carefully: To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream,
lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp
razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.
Pat dry: After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
Moisturize
dry skin: If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin
type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.
3. EAT A HEALTHY DIET
A
healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of
fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association
between diet and acne isn't clear, but some research suggests that a
diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or
refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.
4. QUIT SMOING
Smoking
makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows
the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases
blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are
important to skin health.
Smoking also damages collagen and elastin
(the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity). In addition,
the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking (such as pursing
your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke) can
contribute to wrinkles. If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin
is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop
smoking.
5. MANAGE STRESS
Uncontrolled stress can make your
skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems.
To encourage healthy skin (and a healthy state of mind) take steps to
manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list
and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more
dramatic than you expect.
6. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
Drink plenty of water, your skin is made of water so therefore, drinking more water will be highly favourable to the skin.
7. AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE MORE OFTEN
Avoid
touching your face often. Doing this can spread serious bacteria that
causes your pores to get irritated from getting on your face.
8. WASH YOUR FACE REGULARLY
Wash
your face before you go to bed, and after you get up in the morning.
Before you go to bed, splash warm water and cold water on your skin. For
better results when you expose yourself to water on your face let, the
liquid air dry. There can be a bacteria on the towel you use to dry your
face.
9. WASH YOUR PILLOW CASE ALWAYS
Wash your pillow cases often. Doing this can prevent breakouts (Acne) towards your skin.
10. CLEAN YOUR MAKE-UP BRUSHES
A
study have found that most women never wash their brushes or sponges,
even though they collect dirt and bacteria which can cause breakouts.
"You should wash loose powder brushes every two to three weeks, and
those used to apply foundation once a week. Mix a couple of drops of
gentle facial cleanser or shampoo and lukewarm water in a cup, swish
your brushes around, rinse with lukewarm water, pat dry, and lay flat to
air dry.
11. SANITIZE YOUR SMARTPHONE
Smart phones you can't
keep your hands off of can get more germ-infested than a toilet in a
public toilet. In fact, the glass touch-screens on mobile devices are so
good at spreading viruses that sharing them may be almost as bad as
sneezing in someone's face. Here's a scary thought: All those germs land
right on your cheek and jawline every time you chat away, causing spots
and irritation. To keep your phone (and face) bacteria-free, wipe it
down with an antibacterial wipe like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes a few
times a day.
12. DROP DAIRY FROM YOUR DIET
"Dairy products
(even those that are organic) contain cow hormones that stimulate your
oil glands and your pores, leading to acne". Beware of hidden dairy in
foods like salad dressing, protein bars, and shakes. And if you have to
go there, stick to skimmed milk. "The hormones are concentrated in the
fat, so it's your best option."
13. DON'T NEGLECT YOUR NECK AND CHEST
Most
of us are guilty of stopping our skincare routine as soon as we hit our
chin. And our neglected neck and chest take vengeance by wrinkling,
sagging, and displaying dark spots that beg to be hidden by a
turtleneck. The skin on these areas is thinner, and doesn't have a
strong blood supply, so it doesn't heal well. Plus it's an area that we
often forget to protect with sunscreen. Use the same products as you
would on your face, but start lightly (every other day) when applying
active ingredients like retinols or acids since they may cause some
initial irritation.
14. STRIP OFF YOUR MAKE UP BEFORE GOING TO BED
Leaving
makeup and dirt on skin doesn't just clog pores; it can cause excessive
dryness and even skin dandruff. Most makeup contains a sugar-type
molecule that can grow yeast overnigh. Don't forget to thoroughly remove
eye makeup too because it can lead to bumpy rashes around the eyes or
small white bumps called milia cyst.. Try Rinse-Off Eye Makeup before
going to bed.
15. STAY OFF HOT WATER
A steamy shower may feel
great, but it's one of the worst things you can do for your skin. Not
only does the heat strip essential oils, but it creates a mild burn.
Blood vessels respond by dilating in an effort to cool the skin, causing
flushing and ruddiness. When you're in your twenties, you can take a
hot shower, be red & swollen and recover in an hour, but in your
thirties, it may take 2 hours. By your forties, your skin just doesn't
have the ability to shrink back to its original state so you stay ruddy
all the time.
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